BBKA basic exam. Worthwhile?

[Father Fox]

Wondered if the consensus on the BBKA basic exam is positive or not? Worthwhile?

 

[Polyanwood]

I thought so. I even learned stuff during the actual exam.

 

[alanf]

Generally yes. As the title says, it's "Basic" and there is an assumption that the equipment is wooden BS National based - assembling a frame in particular. Although it's often referred to as the "Exam" it's called the "Asessment" in the formal BBKA terms, practical observation and verbal rather than written.

The assurance is that an experienced beekeeper outside your immediate circle has looked at your handling and asked a few questions about colonies and diseases that you have answered coherently. It's a good idea to know the orthodox (or majority) practice, even if you operate a variant. The pass percentage in the high 90s shows it's not aimed at exclusion. Anyone who has done a course or read a book or listened to a mentor and had some practice handling a hive won't find it difficult. Some people respond better to coursework if they have a goal at the end, if that's the Basic Assessment then it's served a purpose.

 

[Davelin]

Yes, it's not a written exam, just a verbal and practical assessment.
Think you can make up a frame of your own hive choice, doesn't have to be national.

Definitely a worthwhile assessment in my opinion; not too stressful and demonstrates that you have the basic knowledge and skill to manage a beehive.

Very useful if you need to re assure any landlord that your bees will be fine on their land.

 

[Heather]

It is good to have your knowledge confirmed. If you have kept bees for over a year and doing it right... piece of cake.
I don't do written exams, but am going to do the general husbandry when booking allows. All good fun.

 

[BeeJayBee]

I think the Basic is a good idea, it confirms that the new beekeeper has just that - Basic knowledge of beekeeping and has taken the time and effort to have their beekeeping assessed.

I think everybody should aim to get the certificate as soon as they are able to, which is once they've kept bees for a full year. The pass rate is very high.

there is an assumption that the equipment is wooden BS National based

Sorry, no. The beekeeper should be assessed using a hive they're familiar with, be it Langstroth, National, 14x12, Dadant or even top bar and that's what happened when I did mine - using a Langstroth.

 

[Walrus]

Wondered if the consensus on the BBKA basic exam is positive or not? Worthwhile?

Yes, good fun & you will probably learn something. Also you need your basic to be able to take the modules. My "assessor" had such lovely gentle bees i ordered a couple of queens off him!

 

[Ely]

Depends if you enjoy that kind of thing and if you need it for something. Personally I haven't bothered for the same reason I haven't bothered taking an exam on dog walking, cycling, reading and various other things I like to do to pass the time.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Depends if you enjoy that kind of thing and if you need it for something. Personally I haven't bothered for the same reason I haven't bothered taking an exam on dog walking, cycling, reading and various other things I like to do to pass the time.

I suppose it's something to put on the study wall if you're fed up of Granny's wedding photo

 

[Swarm]

Depends if you enjoy that kind of thing and if you need it for something. Personally I haven't bothered for the same reason I haven't bothered taking an exam on dog walking, cycling, reading and various other things I like to do to pass the time.

Depends on the individual, I've kept dogs all my life without passing a test. If you want to do exams fine, if not, fine.

 

[alanf]

Sorry, no. The beekeeper should be assessed using a hive they're familiar with, be it Langstroth, National, 14x12, Dadant or even top bar and that's what happened when I did mine - using a Langstroth.

I should have checked the syllabus.

Apiary Requirements... the component parts of a frame and a sheet of foundation together with the necessary nails and tools ready for assembly in front of the Assessor...
2.3 able to assemble a frame and fit it with wax foundation;

Would suggest nailed wooden frames, plastic frames or a top bar wouldn't fit the wording. Unlikely to fail if you can hold a hammer I'd have thought even if you haven't made more than a couple of practice frames before.

The preference is for an unfamiliar colony for inspection, that would normally be what the "Apiary Manager" can provide or persuade others to volunteer. A practical local restriction rather than a requirement. Nothing wrong with Langstroth or any other framed hive if available, and while not "ideal" the candidate could provide their own colony in a "modern" bee hive. "Modern" is not defined, but anything from the larger suppliers catalogues that includes the frames and foundation mentioned elsewhere would seem to fit. However, there's nothing written in the syllabus about the equipment being within the candidate's preference or familiarity, although I could see most assessors and local BKA apiaries trying to help if practical.

 

[Ben90]

Depends on the individual, I've kept dogs all my life without passing a test. If you want to do exams fine, if not, fine.

There are two reasons I think people would want to take the Basic assessment, one is if you want to go on and study the modules/get a husbandry certificate, because you want to take a more academic approach to your beekeeping. The other is to have something you can use to show neighbours, potential apiary site owners, the council (if you want an allotment), etc. that you've been assessed by a major beekeeping organisation to have a fundamental level of competence.

 

[itma]

I'm yet to be convinced that there is a good reason for NOT taking it.

Its not essential - unless you want to take any other BBKA exams.
But really, why not?
Its just an informal rubber-stamping of your understanding of the basics of 'orthodox' beekeeping and a bit of ability opening a colony.
I'm not against 'unorthodox' beekeeping practices, but I think its important that beginning beekeepers should understand the whats and whys of the orthodoxy before either dreaming up their own concepts or following the latest YouTube 'guidance'. If nothing else, preparing for The Basic should help you tell the difference between the slightly unorthodox and the downright weird.

 

[clv101]

My Basic was great. Really good chat about bees with a very knowledgeable chap - what's not to like. It was a good experience with the added benefit of being useful when dealing with officialdom (eg bees on allotments), and the gateway to BBKA exams if you ever want to do them.

 

[Heather]

I actually took the basic as I demo at out apiary meetings and felt I ought to have something 'under my belt' before I teach others. No certificate on show, or badge sewn on.

 

[Stiffy]

I did the course but work commitments and having enough 'proper' qualifications I really couldn't see any value on being 'blessed' by BBKA. Yep made mistakes and still do after the course but never considered that I am missing anything. If you want confirmation of your basic skills or you wish to take more of their exams then I would recommend taking it.
S

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I'm yet to be convinced that there is a good reason for NOT taking it.

I'm not yet convinced there is any reason (good or otherwise) for taking it

I really couldn't see any value on being 'blessed' by BBKA.

I suppose some people's insecurities mean they need little bits of paper to wave at others.

 

[Ely]

''I'm yet to be convinced that there is a good reason for NOT taking it.

Its not essential - unless you want to take any other BBKA exams.
But really, why not?
Its just an informal rubber-stamping of your understanding of the basics of 'orthodox' beekeeping and a bit of ability opening a colony.
I'm not against 'unorthodox' beekeeping practices, but I think its important that beginning beekeepers should understand the whats and whys of the orthodoxy before either dreaming up their own concepts or following the latest YouTube 'guidance'. If nothing else, preparing for The Basic should help you tell the difference between the slightly unorthodox and the downright weird.''


I can give you one good reason. I have a lot of real university studies. Do not have the time to study for something I do not need to do. Do not confuse that with not educating myself at all. I still communicate with other beekeepers. I still read beekeeping books when I have the time and there is the practical experience. More important commitments come first.

And anyway, I know people like to big their passions up and make out it is really complex but if you have more than one braincell knocking about it is hardly difficult to pick up. It isn't rocket science. All you have to do is do a bit of reading, make sure you are thinking ahead and thinking in general and get stuck in. The hardest bit is controlling swarms and even the experts lose them from what I've read on here. Wonder if I should be taking exams to look after the chickens too.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Wonder if I should be taking exams to look after the chickens too.

What! do you mean to say you haven't sat your Oeuf levels yet!?

 

[psafloyd]

I'm yet to be convinced that there is a good reason for NOT taking it.

Its not essential - unless you want to take any other BBKA exams.

It is essential in some boroughs if you want to have bees on council land, eg allotments.

Also, for the last two years, you have to hold the basic if you wish to be on our divisional (and therefore the BBKA) swarm list.